Attempted luring at Hamblen Elementary School

Police are looking for a man suspected of two separate child-luring attempts, including one near Hamblen Elementary School this morning.

A man approached a Hamblen student this morning, said her parents didn’t want her in school today and he needed to take her home, authorities say. He reached out and touched the girl’s shoulder and she ran away.

Principal Rita Forsythe said police are looking for a man, about 5-foot-11, with dark hair and a light brown complexion. He was driving a dark or a black SUV. She said police believe this incident is related to a similar attempted luring that took place in December.

The elementary student was able to give District Resource Officer Walt Pegram a detailed description of the man, who approached her near the forested area on Crestline next to the school.